HPD: Driver says he fell asleep just before fatal crash

HOUSTON – A vehicular accident claimed the life of one woman who died early Saturday morning. The car she was riding crashed into a utility pole in southwest Houston, police reported.

According to the Houston Police Department, the driver admitted that he had fallen asleep right before the crash happened because he lost control of his car..He confessed officers that he must have fallen asleep prior to the time that his car slammed into a southwest Houston utility pole, killing his passenger,

The Houston Police Department stated that the crash happened early morning of Saturday around 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of Hillcroft and Beechnut.

Both the operator of the car and his victim, a female passenger, were not donning seat belts, noted the officers who were at the scene.

But the police noted that the airbags of the vehicle did not deploy. The impact of the crash was so severe that the utility pole it smashed against was broken.

Based on preliminary investigation, the officers did not find any indications that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. He was just in need of sleep and did not take time to nap a while before continuing to drive.

The area in Hillcroft was closed for several hours while police was conducting their investigation. The Center Point crews were called to replace the pole.

Drowsy driving is recognized as one of the dangers to traffic safety. According to NHTSA, feeling sleepy which operating a vehicle contributes to more than 100,000 collisions each year, resulting in over 1,500 deaths and 40,000 injuries. A driver must be extra alert behind the wheel so he must have enough sleep before driving. If he has a passenger, he must ask his companion to keep on talking and help to keep him awake.

Car Accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering in addition to economic damages.